Overtime Rules Controversy Could Spill Over

A controversy over proposed revisions in overtime rules for private sector employees could spill over into the federal sector, although the effect is uncertain and would not be immediate. The administration contends that the proposed rules, issued earlier this year by the Labor Department, would bring outdated policies up to date and make more lower-income workers eligible for such pay. Critics, including unions and congressional Democrats, argue that the rules would end eligibility for certain workers, including some in occupations such law enforcement and firefighting, by redefining who is “exempt” from overtime pay-that is, ineligible to get it. Before the August congressional recess, the House voted narrowly during voting on a spending bill for the Labor Department (HR-2660) to allow the revisions to move ahead; a similar attempt to block the rules in the Senate is possible.